Escondido Neighborhoods and Nonprofits to Receive $1.4M Boost

The money is expected to go into use by July 1 when the fiscal year begins

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The Escondido City Council unanimously approved a $1.4 million use of federal money to improve low-income neighborhoods and assist nonprofit programs during a meeting last night, reports our media partner North County Times.

The money includes $337,000 Tulip Street and $200,000 on Grape Street for sidewalks and streetlights. About $100,000 will be spent on a Habitat for Humanity housing project on Elm Street.

Nonprofit programs receiving funds, which are known as Community Development Block Grants, include Meals on Wheels, which got $14,300, Learn to Swim, which got $25,500 for low-income youth swimming lessons, and the Food 4 Kids Backpack program at Lincoln Elementary, which got $11,400.

The money is expected to go into use by July 1 when the fiscal year begins.

Three nonprofits requested funding did not receive support from the council but did not receive part of the federal funding. Angel’s Depot, the Escondido Community Child Development Center and the Center for Community Solutions all asked for

"It's hard to pick and choose," said Mayor Sam Abed, adding that all the applicants seemed worthy and that the council mostly relied on city staff members to choose. "Taking it from Meals on Wheels and giving it to Angel's Depot won't solve anything."